For the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor 3:17

Jonathan Cahn, noted author and prophetic voice of the Christian faith, along with many other notable Christian leaders have planned a live, hopeful, and vital event on the National Mall in Washington on Saturday, September 26, 2020 called The Return.  In the midst of celebrating the Jewish Yom Kippur and the historical significance of the 400 year anniversary of the band of Christian Pilgrims landing on the famous Rock in Plymouth, MA, the gathering is in recognition and response to the all-out war Judeo-Christianity is now facing from cultural forces determined to diminish God’s purpose and presence from the public square.  It will also be offered as a simulcast throughout America and the World, and individuals and groups are encouraged to participate by gathering in their homes, church, or city locations. 

Friends, any one of us, relying on an ounce of honesty, must admit we have lost our way.  The call for us to Return to our Judeo-Christian heritage is a divine alarm.  As did the devout pilgrims before us, we must reject the world’s deceptive grip and believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, as He said.  In the spirit of this timely revelation, we’re being called to gather to Return to our Godly roots, Repent of our sins, and Revive our personal lives and land to glorify the God of our Creation and Redemption.  2 Chron 7:14 is the scripture of promise being referenced that says: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Historian Joseph Carvalho III, native of New Bedford and retired Director of Springfield Museums and Libraries, tells me the Spanish were in the New World since 1492… and the French were in North America in the 1590s, settling Quebec in 1608.  The Cavaliers of Jamestown were here for commercial reasons on behalf of the King… He goes on to focus on us.  He describes our area as the “Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World.” In other words, the original settlers’ core intention was to separate from old England and provide freedom and a new hope in a new world for their families.  That local historical description includes us! If Mesopotamia can be called the cradle of civilization that covers 8,000 square miles, then being bike-ride distance from New Bedford to Plymouth or to Providence sheds direct light on our legitimate claim.

There is no doubt that Washington is our Nation’s Capital and a wonderful spot for people to gather.  The Return also speaks on a personal level to those of us who live in the Providence – South Coast – Plymouth geography.  It’s not difficult to be fully persuaded that God’s hand is still firmly upon the area in which we reside, and it’s not too late for us to repent and cooperate with His call for us to return.  At the end of the day, it’s God’s side we must be on.  So, as for my wife Cynthia and me, we will participate and celebrate the day of the Return on Saturday, September 26th by gathering to pray at the National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, MA. Yes, from the Cradle of Religious Liberty in the New World – the one That Still Rocks!

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. Psalm 127:1 (NLT)

In the face of an unprecedented viral pandemic, in the midst of social and political upheaval, and on the 19th anniversary of our Nation’s worst terrorist attack, I’m fully persuaded that God’s hand is still firmly upon the area in which I reside, and it’s not too late for us to repent and cooperate with His plan for us.   In this message, my hope is for you to hear the heart of a man who has lived in this Greater New Bedford area for  seventy-four years—one who grew up and raised a family here, spent almost thirty years as an inner city special needs teacher, and forty years in the real estate business. Considering myself an ordinary citizen, there is nothing perfect in any of what describes me, prepares me, or for wanting the best for the place from which I hail.  With that confession upfront, as you read on, please allow my perspective a chance to take hold.

Never denying that our region has its challenges (like we as individuals also have), I’ve written confidently about our area in the past.  My point has always focused on our heritage, our positive qualities and the hope and potential we have in the wonderfully diverse people that make up our local population.

No other area can boast of being the once whaling and garment industry capitol of the world, or an ongoing seaport champion for so long. No other area borders Native American influenced towns named Mattapoisett with an “It’s Special” motto or the Wampanoag named town of Acushnet which bears its own Apple Peach Festival that has drawn thousands of people.  No other area can claim a town called Marion, that per capita I’m told was once the richest Town in the Country.  No other location is thirty miles from Newport, the home of extraordinary mansions and where the America’s Cup has been held.  No other locale is thirty miles from Providence, fifty miles from Boston – the medical oasis of the world, a thirty minute ride to Bristol, America’s oldest Fourth of July Celebration, or a boat ride to Martha’s Vineyard where our Presidents can hardly wait to visit for vacation.  Let’s keep it in our current fairway and not forget Titleist, the number 1 ball in golf, or between the buoys with the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War being fought here, too.

Again, facing our impending challenges and the reality that we are not perfect as individuals, towns, cities or as a regional community, the potential and hope to improve is an uplifting fact. If we, as residents, can look up and see the overwhelming positives, then perhaps we can change our shared perspective of who we are and where we live.  With so many attributes for us to personally focus upon, sometimes it’s easy to miss the obvious that is all around us. Our area truly is an amazing place to celebrate and to go about our business!

So friends, here’s the home run we must begin to integrate: If you attend the Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth, their town proudly promotes and defines itself as “America’s Hometown.” Under that premise lies the fact that it happens to be Old Dartmouth’s or our areas “grandparent” settlement. A strong historical connection comes through Francis Cooke and his 13 year old son John, who came here from England aboard the Mayflower that grounded on the famous Plymouth Rock in the early 1600s.  Francis Cooke signed the Mayflower Compact, while his son was not eligible to do so because of his age.  Young John grew up and became the first, if not one of the first, white settlers in our Old Dartmouth area and is the oldest pilgrim male buried in the Fairhaven area.

The plaque on his memorial stone at the foot of Pilgrim Avenue in Fairhaven has nothing but rave reviews of his life.  That being the case, we have a blood father and son relationship with America’s Hometown, Plymouth. That truth can bear great weight as it relates to our strengthened and more qualified identity; one that is surely needed as we move into the challenging years to come.

Historian Joseph Carvalho III, native of New Bedford and retired Director of Springfield Museums and Libraries tells me the Spanish were in the New World since 1492… and the French were in North America in the 1590s and settled Quebec in 1608)  The Cavaliers of Jamestown were here for commercial reasons on behalf of the King… He goes on to focus on us.  He describes our area as the “Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World”.  In other words, the original settlers core intention was to separate from old England and provide freedom and a new hope in a new world for their families.  That local historical description includes us!!  If Mesopotamia can be called the cradle of civilization that covers 8,000 square miles, then being bike-ride distance from New Bedford to Plymouth or to Providence sheds direct light on our legitimate claim.

Just think of traveling a distance far enough away for someone to ask us where we are from. Not only could we say we are from the once Whaling & Garment capitol of the world, the current fishing champion or home of the #1 golf ball, we could also tell the questioner a greater hopeful and living truth that “still rocks” without one word of  exaggeration.  We’re from the Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World!

Psalm 37:23; Romans 8:28; Jer 29:11; Ps 40:8

(Photo of the participants of the 72 mile round trip “Pilgrim Bike Ride” from Cooke Park in Fairhaven to the Mayflower Pier in Plymouth on September 10, 2016)

I’m privileged to have recently met Anne Rich, a Salvation Army core member and music director for the Salvation Army in Massachusetts.  Anne was inspired to write this song back in 1995.  What a blessing to have her graciously sing her song that so appropriately integrates and richly complements this article.  Please listen below and hear Anne’s heart-felt voice sing out From the Cradle That Still Rocks.

 “Working for fulfillment is better than working for money.  The purpose of a job is work, not money.” – Dr. Myles Monroe 

As I join Rose Homes Real Estate and Laer Realty Partners in Fairhaven, MA as a Real Estate Broker, and take a final look at work, it is only fitting that we return to it’s biblical wisdom and understanding, so brilliantly captured by the late Dr. Myles Monroe in his book, Releasing Your Potential.  As an interesting side note, in 2012 my wife Cynthia and I went on our first cruise out of Miami and into the Caribbean.  One of our land excursions was to Freeport in the Bahamas.  Dr. Monroe’s ministry was located in the Bahamas. The picture herein is yours truly holding this particular book in Dr. Monroe’s home area of influence.

To be unaware of something is to be ignorant.  To learn something to be true and choose to ignore it, as if unaware, is foolishness.  In the 13th chapter of his text, entitled Understanding Work, Dr. Monroe highlights the principles we need to truly grasp as he contrasts the scriptural perspective of work with what the world system teaches.  May we go ahead and copy his summarized list of work-enlightening nuggets:

1. The achievement of greatness requires work.

2. Labor delivers your potential.

3. Work is… activated strength and energy, the effort required to bring something to pass, the use of your abilities and faculties to do or perform something, and the means to produce a desired result.

4. Faith without work is unproductive.

5. God designed you to fulfill your purpose by working.

6. Work multiplies your resources, be they large or small.

7. Idleness invites the company of lazy people.

8. The release of your potential is dependent upon your expenditure of the necessary effort to change your thoughts into visible realities.

So family and friends, in conclusion, let’s be encouraged to especially study the scripture directly or supplementary books like Releasing Your Potential to gain further evidence of what God’s favored four letter word – WORK means for us personally!!   As we do, we’ll be reminded of this….Potentially, We are God’s workmanship!!

Gen 2:15; Eph 2:10; Prov 13:4; Phil 4:13; 1 Tim 5:8; Prov 16:3

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.  Ecclesiastes 9:10 

Have you ever asked yourself, “What work is most important?” An honest answer to such a question deserves some serious thought.  Today’s message is designed to identify and discard the more probable human choices and make way for the only truth that satisfies such a challenging question.

There is nothing wrong with being self-employed or working for someone else, a just cause, a volunteering effort or another company/organization. To place the highest focus on any of these without first acknowledging God’s creative and founding place in all of it is where many of us have room to grow.  It was Jesus who said, “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 6:29).  This was His response to the following question put forth by the people: “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” So the question we asked at the opening of this message now takes on a new light. Is working for myself, another, a just cause, or others more critical than working for God?

As believers, if we hold that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, then what we think or feel must line up with the truth of what He says. According to the Lord, all our imagining, memories, thinking skills, meditating and flexing are secondary. The most important thing we can do is simply believe in Him. This is our most critical work.

And while the idea is simple enough, it certainly doesn’t mean that walking it out will be easy. We can believe in our heart, yet not agree in our confused thought life. The personal integrity that comes with our reborn nature must blend harmoniously with the way God would have us think. Apostles Paul and Peter, John the Baptist, and most significantly, Jesus, were all known for their call for repentance (rethinking).  In Romans 12:2, it reads, “We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind.” Scripture also says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).

So family and friends, having a relationship by faith with our gracious God and Creator should bring His spiritual love nature into our heart or inner being. Our faith in Him generates hope in all we do because we work out our lifestyle to please Him. Studying to show ourselves approved becomes a critical part of our new pattern—whether we work for ourselves, someone else, for a just cause, or another company or organization.  Working with a divine perspective (even as a volunteer without pay) or in my case as a  Fairhaven Realtor honors and glorifies the One who labored so magnificently to make us His children and the work of His love in the first place!

Phil 2:5; Phil 2:12; 1 Cor 3:21; John 8:50; John 17:22; Phil 4:19-20; Rev 20:12-13; 1 Tim 4:11; Acts 15:18; 1 Cor 10:31; Book of Ephesians; James 2:17, 20, 26

To love someone is to work for their highest good.  Edwin Louis Cole

Last week I announced my returning to work as a local Real Estate agent and established a significant difference between a mere job and the potential to work in a way that is people effective and honors God.  Today, let’s take a moment to explore work a little deeper and understand more clearly how valuable work is for each of us, especially older folks like me who are constantly being reminded that the place of retirement is the real promised land.

Sam Smith, the ever-perceptive and witty founding Pastor of Faith Christian Center, the church I attend, used to say, “If something was worth doing, it was worth doing right.”  His fresh quips were invariably traceable to his most faithful source—the Bible.  He knew good works are an expression that springs from the principle of our love for God.  It’s a heart-felt condition of gratefulness in those who truly believe

Our individual understanding of who God is must not dismiss the fact that He is a working God.  Beside working to create all things, He created us in His image and likeness which means not only do we look like Him, we can act or work like Him too.  According to author Dr. Myles Monroe in his book Releasing Your Potential, several things complement this subject: 1) Refusing to work is to deny the opportunity to fulfill our potential. 2) The absence of work is stealing. 3) We rob ourselves and others when we are lazy. 4) The cure for poverty is hard work.

How many of us love responsibility, but not the accountability that goes along with it?  The accountability piece eliminates the excuses, blaming others, and the quitter options.  Rather than being the wild card we’ve all used to bail out from what we are supposed to do, accountability is the all-in commitment that tethers us to the fullness of our working assignment.

Let’s do ourselves a favor this week and take a moment to make an honest assessment as to where we are in terms of our job/work package and our accompanying attitude.  Let’s examine our hearts to check our motive.  No matter what we are doing, are we merely jobbing or are we laboring in love for the highest good of those around us.  God knows and so should we!

Finally, family and friends, may we adopt the feisty outlook of former President Teddy Roosevelt. It was he who said, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” To be continued…

Prov 16:3; 1 Cor 10:31; John 14:15, 23; Gal 5:6; 1 Cor 15:58

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Col 3: 22-23

My goal in this short series of messages is to shine a light on one of God’s preferred four letter words, WORK, and challenge us (particularly myself) in doing so.  Let’s see more clearly how vital (rather than burdensome) work can be and how it offers a more wholesome perspective we all need.  Too many of us (especially those like me in these retirement-luring years) seem to be ignorant of, passively ignore, or aggressively reject the essential benefits of work. 

Work is not synonymous with a job.  A job is interested in drawing a paycheck, watching the clock, and heading home. Work is the secret treasure necessary for a fertile life. It is the inner storehouse that God designed to draw on our potential to be helpfully and hopefully productive.  Within that store-house, our Creator has placed the abilities, talents, energies, and opportunities for us to meet and overcome life’s challenges. Work is the energy or currency that God deposits in us so we can personally succeed in being, doing, and knowing what’s necessary to gainfully mature; all the while simultaneously serving others honestly and pleasing and glorifying Him.

It’s interesting that the first commandment man (Adam) was given was to tend, guard, and keep the garden (Gen 2:4-7).  In other words, “Get to work, Junior!”  Everything the Creator had placed in Adam was contingent upon his exercising his untapped reservoir of inner attributes necessary to accomplish the work God commanded.  Let’s also remember that God’s commandments are loving guides designed to be obeyed for holy fruitfulness, not mere suggestions to consider or reject.  He is a God of continuous action.  He may have rested on the seventh day of creation, but full retirement was never part of His deal.

On a personal note, I’ve never argued against work being a part of my nature.  Beyond scores of part time jobs, including some as a volunteer, I worked mainly as a Special Needs Teacher for 30 years, and  simultaneously functioned as a Real Estate Broker as well.  At 73 years of age, I really thought it was time for me to retire from all of it like so many others my age choose to do.  But wait!  There is a new “refirement” going on in me and I’m impressed to return to my Real Estate career with a heightened vigor.  Not to be dramatic, but it feels like I’m being led and on some sort of a divine mission!  

Family and friends, we need a renewed mind to desire and appreciate work, no matter at what age.  We deprive ourselves of true development, deployment, and employment if we don’t!  For me, that secret treasure called work is still alive and bubbling and I encourage others to detect their inner treasure as well.  I see my purpose remaining the same: doing the best I can to glorify God in all that I do.  Within that purpose, my new and exciting assignment as a Fairhaven, MA broker/agent with Rose Homes Real Estate and LAER Realty Partners will unfold in days ahead as I do what I do best  – work in serving future home Sellers and Buyers with joy and integrity.  To be continued…

1 Cor10:31; 1 Cor 16:14 Proverbs 10:22; Nehemiah 4:6; 2 Cor 9:8 Psalm 90:17; Proverbs 16:3

This was a prayer of George Washington, the First President of the United States: “Direct my thoughts, words, and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit….Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ.”

May we all be reminded that Thursday, May 7, 2020 has been sanctioned by the United States Government as “National Day of Prayer.”  Celebrating its 69th year, this year’s objective is to call upon people, corporately and individually, to return to the God of our Fathers in reverence for His Holy Name.  To further highlight this effort, the theme for 2020 is Habakkuk 2:14… Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth, AMEN!!!

The United States stands alone as the only country in the world with a government-sanctioned “National Day of Prayer.” The Judeo-Christian based task force is calling for people to gather for personal and national repentance and heart-felt prayer targeting seven critical areas: our government, military, media, education, church, business, and family.

Locations and further information regarding modifications can be found by going to the National Day of Prayer website:  www.nationaldayofprayer.org

The heritage of our Nation is steeped in humble prayer and noteworthy recognition of Almighty God’s power, wisdom, and providence.  The following prayer serves as a golden example: “Prayer should be the breath of our breathing, the thought of our thinking, the soul of our feeling, the life of our living, the sound of our hearing, and the growth of our growing. Prayer in its magnitude is length without end, width without bounds, height without top, and depth without bottom.”  – Homer W. Hodge

If for social restrictions due to the current virus problem you cannot attend a National Day of Prayer gathering, be encouraged to pray alone or with family members at home, or with other like-minded people during safe environment breaks at your work place.   At such a time as this, and as believers, let’s join together this May 7, 2020 to pray for our Nation.

  2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 118:8; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 6:9-13

Please pass this along to others in your social media network!

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  Eph 4:6

Great comfort comes to those of us who operate in a step or blended family when we hear these words of scripture: “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Eph 1:5.

When given another chance of functioning successfully in a step family, a better perspective is in the hope and liberty of freshly packing new suit cases  rather than negatively looking back and being held captive by “old baggage”.

We know that families can grow or be disrupted by divorce or death. and new families can be reconstructed in a variety of ways.  Ron Deal, author and counselor from Family Life, says there are 67 possible variations of a step or blended family. No natural, single parent, or blended family is perfect but has an identifiable bent toward becoming more wholesome or a bent toward falling apart.

The great, George Bernard Shaw said, “Some men see things as they are and say, Why? I dream of things that never were and say, Why not?” The Greatest, Jesus Christ, says in Matthew 19:26, “With God, all things are possible.

As inspirational leaders, and equipped with these natural and supernatural confidence-building quotes, please join Cynthia and me as we embark together on our blended-family journey; fully packing our new “Christianite Luggage” with these traveling necessities.

1. Let’s pack some common goals and similar interests. Like denominations or political parties, families with separate roots or agendas work against itself.  As Christians, we must rally and purpose around Christ for our “community.” There’s an old hymn: O Pilgrim bound for the heavenly land, never lose sight of Jesus. The common goal for a real Christian family of any sort is packing up afresh in the full gospel or good news of Christ.
2.  Let’s put in order a unified family focus. People, things, ideas, promotions and projects are important; but for a Christian, the model of Jesus and becoming like Him must be the family focus. There’s an old adage from St. Augustine – “In essentials unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

3.  Let’s make ready a competent and balanced approach. Maintaining what’s good and wholesome and building slowly but surely with a prayerful cover of God is the stability and progress of a Christian family.

4.  Let’s stow grace and mercy to love, serve, and sacrifice. Tripping someone up or down is one thing.  Tripping over one another to help and edify is divine, and the obvious witness as real love one for another.

Family and friends, if God is not our ultimate adoptive parent and Father, and His idea for smart step family preparation is not our packing purpose too, then we are only left with the ideas of man.  Given that fateful option, all one would have left to say is… God help us!

Carry Ons: Romans 8:28; 1 Cor 10:31; Prov 3:5-6; Rom 8:37; Matt 19:26; 2 Thes 2:16-17; Gal 2:20; Gen 50:20; 1 Cor 6:19; Acts 1:8; Luke 17:33; Matt 5:9; 1 Tim 5:8

Just over three months ago, Saturday, June 29, 2019, was our 55^th Fairhaven High School Class Reunion.  During our open mike time, I had planned to tell a joke, say a few encouraging things to my classmates, and conclude by offering everyone who wanted one – a printed Christian Tract that I believed was relevant to our gathering.  Sometimes even the best plans are never executed and this plan of mine provides an example.  The printer had a glitch with his equipment and the material I had planned to share wasn’t ready in time.  So — my agenda during our open mike session went to a silent mode instead.

Fortunately, delay doesn’t necessarily mean denial.  During open mike time, Tom Cabral, our funny, animated, and passionate class member got up and entertained the crowd and ended with perhaps the most profound statement of the evening.  He said when he was finished, he was going around to every table and shake hands with everyone, because (like 37 deceased class mates before us) he wasn’t sure if he’d be around for our next reunion.  Funny in a way – but realistic and sobering as well.  Only Tom, in his inimitable way, could help us face the fact that we are all destined to die one day.  So my friends, I thank Tom for inadvertently setting the stage for my late, but finally printed tracts.  Below, in long form, is my Message of Hope I had planned to share.  If you would like this in tract size, please e-mail or in-box me your address and I’d be honored to send you one like this.

Class reunions are in a class by themselves.  For me, our upcoming 55th High School reunion is no exception.  There is the excitement of seeing people I haven’t seen and the anticipated disappointment of remembering the life of those who have died and are no longer with us.

On the surface, the sweet and bitter nature of my class gathering is one of the true gauges that life on Earth is moving along very quickly, whether we approve it or not.  None of us is big deal enough, even if we were voted as some class superlative, to get a pass from the inevitable fact that one day we will die and be physically absent from the next planned class gathering.  That said, I have every intention to take advantage of this upcoming opportunity; to celebrate the past, present, and future with those of us who come together on Saturday, June 29, 2019 as 1964 graduates of Fairhaven High School.

By the way, speaking of superlatives, I was voted Best School Spirited as a senior and take that honor seriously to this very writing.

Apparently, not a “kill joy” then and not one now, let me offer to my special friends, classmates, and others the hope the Bible offers as a choice we can make to ensure a Reunion with our Creator – no matter when we take our last breath.  According to God’s Word, we all have an appointed time to die and then there is a judgement. We have a choice to make, by faith, regarding going to Heaven (The Sweetest Reunion) or being separated from God by going to hell (The Most Bitter One).

God offers a never-ending Family or Class Reunion with His Loving Good News.  It’s our will and choice to approve it or not.  Please join with me and get right with the Superintendent of superintendents, Principal of principals, and The Class of all classmates. 

Carpe Diem, my friends.  Seize this day and recite the following prayer in earnest and God promises we’ll meet again.  In fact, and by God’s way, Jesus Christ is The Superlative of superlatives, Senior of seniors, and by His divine nature, The Best School Spirited. 

Salvation Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Your Son, Jesus.  Thank You for sending Him to die for my sins, an incredible act of love performed just for me.  I am sorry for sinning against You.  I believe You are a forgiving God, as Your Word says, and that You forgive me of all of my sins.  I believe You raised Jesus from the grave, overcoming death, and allowing me to accept Him and receive eternal life through Him.  Jesus, please come and reside in my heart and be my Savior and Lord.  Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

All of us can find serious challenges in life – even the crisis types that scream – GIVE UP! Most uncomfortably, I’ve been faced with a few of those discouraging episodes lately.  Fortunately, no matter how bad or squeezed I felt, the God of Hope always showed up.  Perhaps you are in the midst of a crisis or draining discouragement too.  If that’s the case, let’s read this Message of Hope together and let the Spirit of God encourage us His way.

Many of you may have read about Pandora’s Box.  In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth.  Her lot in life (per Zeus) was to be the steward of a certain box.  After receiving this gift, she was told not to open it by “friendlier” gods because they suspected Zeus had a devious plan.  Pandora’s curiosity finally overcame her, causing her to go against the command of her god.  Opening the mysterious box, she soon discovered her terrible error.  Plagues for the body and sorrows for the mind exploded from within the box out into the air.  In terror, she slammed the box shut.  What remained in the box was one last item—hope.  It would be the item to which humanity would forever depend.

One of the most beautiful depictions of hope I’ve ever seen was e-mailed to me.   There were four lit candles that were labeled:  Peace, Faith, Love, and Hope.  They flickered side by side, almost as if they were communicating with each other.  The candle of peace soon faded out, as did the candle of faith.  Not long thereafter, the candle of love dimmed away, as well.  The only one that stayed lit was the candle of hope.  A child then entered the room and noticed the situation.  He boldly declared they all should be lit and proceeded to relight the peace, faith and love candles using the continuing flame of hope’s candle.

Writer Theodore Leonard Cuyler gracefully describes hope as the flower of desire.  Its essence bars despair and always expects something good.  He declares, “There is no happiness that hope cannot surmount, no grief which it cannot mitigate.  It is the wealth of the homeless, the health of the sick, the freedom of the captive and rest of the laborer.”

We are not Greek mythology advocates, children of innocence, or gifted writers of imagery; however, all of us are alive, keen, and can be honest enough to know that Hope has been around from our beginning.  It’s a universal truth that’s stood the test of time and is still accessible to each of us today.  Scripture calls hope the anchor of our soul.

For this week and beyond, may the God of hope (the One who truly created mankind) cast His everlasting shadow upon us.  May our faith and His grace blend to bring an overflow of joy and strength in Him, for His supply of peace and love is endless.  May we realize with total certainty that we are an overcomer of any crisis or discouragement because God says so. and we were created by His design to prove it.  May we celebrate our hope in Him together—that hope that is too awesome to suffer captivity within a box.

Heb 6:19; Rom 12:12; Psalm 27:4-5; 1 John 5:5